Top tips from Likeminds for tentative first steps in social media
Last Friday, 26 February, I attended Likeminds, a social media conference that opened my eyes and confirmed my instinct that social media has to be included in marketing, PR and all communications strategies.
As some one said on the day, it is like the web ten or fifteen years ago. At the time people were asking “does my business need a web site?” The answer then was yes; and now every organisation has a web site. The world is in the same place now with social media. It can be Twitter, Facebook or whatever you choose – but social media is here to stay. It needs to be learned about, understood, then embraced and then pursued and developed vigorously.
Consumer facing brands, or charities or organisations with a specific message and an existing community have no choice but to take advantage of social media. Dell has learnt the lesson and flourished, Toyota is learning, SouthWest Airlines has sort of learned. In b2b it is harder to apply, but if the messages are relevant, timely and consistent in tone and content then social media can play a vital role in an organisations overall communications plan. But it needs to be thought through, planned and managed within a framework and as part of an integrated communications strategy. When it is done well it works brilliantly. Charities can raise awareness and funds; b2b organisations can build upon their already strong but often untapped stakeholder communities. And reputations can be managed more effectively.
So, here are some top tips I recommend all b2b organisations need to apply when considering embracing social media.
1. You can’t ignore social media, but it is OK to admit you’re not ready
2. Social media must be part of the whole communications plan – not an add on
3. Link up all your communications tools to social media to work as a team
4. Confirm your objectives and determine where social media fits
5. Start slow and steady – less can be more at the beginning
6. Stick to your brand values; don’t tweet for the sake of it, work to some rules
7. If your budget allows it hire a dedicated social media person as part of the communications team
8. Remember what your stakeholders are interested in; see the world from their perspective
9. Think before you tweet – if in doubt, then don’t do it
10. If you’re not having fun, then something is wrong and you need to check points 2 to 8
If you want more tips then get in touch; I can give you advice and I steer you towards some more advanced social media colleagues and friends that can help.
Tags: first steps, Likeminds, social media, top tips